One of the game's quintessential stay-at-home defencemen, Rick Green played over 800 NHL contests between 1976 and 1991. His trademark was staying in position and utilizing his 6'3', 220lb. frame to tie up opposing forwards.

The Belleville, Ontario native was the first player taken in the 1976 Amateur Draft by the Washington Capitals after a stellar junior career with the OHA's London Knights. He spent six years stabilizing the Caps' blueline and represented Canada at three World Championships, including the bronze medal win in 1982.

In September, 1982 Green was traded with Ryan Walter to the Montreal Canadiens for Rod Langway, Brian Engblom, Doug Jarvis and Craig Laughlin. For a time, Langway's excellence and the Caps' rise to respectability overshadowed Green's play with the Habs. The high point for the steady blueliner was helping Montreal vanquish the Calgary Flames to win the Stanley Cup in 1986.

Through the late 80s' Green's defensive excellence was a pillar of the club's success under Jean Perron and Pat Burns. He was picked to participate in the 1987 Rendez-vous series between the NHL and Soviet All-Stars and was a key figure when the Habs reached the final in 1989. In 1989-90 he battled injuries while playing for Italy's HC Meran then played for Canada at the World Championships. Montreal retained Green's rights then traded him to the Detroit Red Wings. After playing 65 gamed in Motown during the 1990-91 season, the veteran joined the New York Islanders briefly the next year before retiring.

After leaving the game as a player, Green looked to the realm of coaching as the next challenge. He served as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders for three years beginning in 1992-93. He then joined former Habs mate Larry Robinson with the LA Kings as an assistant from 1995 to 1999 before returning to Montreal.